OVER the next four weeks, we are going to be offering up suggestions as to how you can make your Christmas extra special this year with just a few trips to your local farmers’ market.

There are hundreds of ways to enjoy quality local produce that won’t cost you the earth but will mean either great food or great gifts for you and your family and friends. Buying your seasonal fare from local farmers and producers will mean that you will enjoy the very best that Worcestershire has to offer.

It’s never too early to start getting the drinks in for Christmas, whether they are alcoholic or not, and your local farmers’ market has some fantastic varieties on offer.

For quality wines, head to Richard and Rita Tomkinson’s Rose Bank Vineyard stall. The couple have been growing grapes at their Fernhill Heath vineyard for the past seven years. These grapes are then turned into award-winning wine by the winemakers at Three Choirs Vineyard, Newent.

Each of Rose Bank’s four entries won a medal at this year’s UKVA awards, judged by an independent team of masters of wine. Try their Madeleine Angevin 2009 or Reichensteiner 2009, or enjoy a glass or two of the Phoenix 2009.

Newtown Wines’ Mike Sinclair has been a farmers’ market regular for many years and has a loyal following across the county.

Mike has an amazing choice of fruit wines, including cherry, damson, plum, blackcurrant and autumn blend. You will find two varieties of delicious perry on Mike’s stall, one dry and one sweet. He also sells pear scrumpy, which is pure fermented pear juice, and a non-alcoholic perry drink, which has been one of his best sellers this year.

All of these are alongside Mike’s extensive range of fabulous ciders and fruit juices, which all make great gifts or are perfect to accompany any Christmas meal.

You will also find great fruit juices and cordials – have a good look around all the stalls on your next visit and see what takes your fancy. The producers will often have some for you to try before you buy.

Today’s farmers’ market is at St Peter’s Garden Centre in Norton, near Worcester, from 9.30am until 2pm. Next weekend’s markets are in Victoria Square in Droitwich, on Saturday, December 4, from 9am until 2pm, and in Angel Place in Worcester, from 9am until 3pm, on Sunday, December 5.